Magners Preview: Ulster v Llanelli Scarlets

4 September 2008 17:15pm

By Editor

Former Ireland team-mates Rory Best and Simon Easterby, the respective captains of Ulster and the Llanelli Scarlets, pose together ahead of their sides' Magners League clash at Ravenhill on Friday night

There is plenty of added intrigue to Friday's televised Magners League showdown between Ulster and the Llanelli Scarlets as Matt Williams, with new players in the back-line and across all three lines in the pack, looks for a winning start to his first full season at Ravenhill.

For photos of the Ulster players training at Newforge in the lead-up to this game, please click here.

Team News: South African tighthead prop BJ Botha will make his debut for Ulster against the Llanelli Scarlets in the first game of the province's 2008/09 Magners League campaign.

Botha only linked up with the Ulster squad last weekend but coach Matt Williams is confident that the World Cup winner will be ready for Friday's game.

"Brendon (BJ) has been training with the Sharks for the last few weeks so I have no concerns over his fitness levels, he has impressed us all at training this week and I am delighted to name him in the side," Williams admitted.

"It's important to hit the ground running and I feel we have picked a strong side for the first game."

Williams has made several changes to the Ulster side that lost to Worcester over a week ago at Ravenhill.

The front row is transformed with stalwart Justin Fitzpatrick named at loosehead, team captain Rory Best at hooker and Botha on the tighthead side.

The back row sees recent signing Robbie Diack return at number 8 with Matt McCullough and Kieron Dawson named as the two flankers.

Isaac Boss and Paddy Wallace have been named as the half-back pairing with former Australia 'A' international Clinton Schifcofske positioned at full-back.

Ireland ace Andrew Trimble starts on the right wing with Fijian international Timoci Nagusa taking on the left wing berth.

The centre pairing of Scotland's Rob Dewey and Ireland Sevens star Darren Cave could cause the Scarlets a number of problems.

Meanwhile, with first choice centres Regan King (hamstring) and Jonathan Davies (leg) both out injured, the Scarlets will field Rob Higgitt and Gavin Evans in midfield.

Also in the visitors' back-line, Sililo Martens will be stepping into Dwayne Peel's boots at scrum half. Peel has left Llanelli for Sale Sharks.

The Welsh region are also currently without the services of injured flanker Johnathan Edwards (knee), but former Ireland flanker Simon Easterby is still part of an impressive back row unit which includes Australia's David Lyons.

Lyons and New Zealand duo Kees Meeuws and Simon Maling will all be making their competitive debuts for Llanelli.

This is Nigel Davies' first competitive game in charge of the Scarlets since his return to Stradey Park, following Phil Davies' departure at the end of last season.

Say What: Matt Williams (Ulster) - "We are ready for the Scarlets, I have mentioned this week in the media that we have had selection issues in that we have a great squad to choose from, that is something I am really pleased about.

"The Scarlets are a good side and have recruited well over the summer. They will be keen to lay down the law at Ravenhill as we meet them again in the Heineken Cup in December.

"But we are determined to get our season off to a good start and build that confidence in the team up."

Nigel Davies (Llanelli Scarlets) - "Training has been great. A lot of people have put their hands up for places and that's what we want. Competition in the squad pushes everybody forward.

"The players who start on Friday night know there's a group directly behind them who are more than capable of coming in.

"Ulster should be an interesting encounter because they've got home advantage and will be looking to start with a bang but we've been working hard to put a game together with a new group of coaches and some new players."

The countdown is on to the Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23. Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens & Women's Rugby, previews what promises to be an exciting couple of days.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Jenny Murphy talks about the progress made by the Ireland Women's Sevens team and their pool draw for the upcoming Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Conor Murray and Tommy Bowe speak to Irish Rugby TV about their Rugby World Cup preparations and thank the thousands of supporters who came out to see the players at the open training session at the Sportsground.

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell gives his verdict on the team's new Rugby World Cup jersey and talks about his move to French club Toulon. Ireland's RWC 2015 range is available to pre-order now from http://shop.irishrugby.ie.

Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens, talks about the target of a top three finish for both the Ireland Men and Women in Lisbon this weekend, as they continue on their quests for Olympic qualification.

Tom Daly, who recently captained the Ireland Men's Sevens team to the European Division C and B titles, is looking forward to playing in this weekend's Rugby Europe Olympic Repechage tournament in Lisbon, Portugal.

Ireland will host the 'Women's Sevens Dublin' at UCD on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23. Tournament director Garrett Tubridy and Ireland stars Lucy Mulhall, Jenny Murphy and Louise Galvin speak about their excitement ahead of the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series qualifier.

Coach Allen Clarke and stand-in captain Billy Holland answer questions from the media following Emerging Ireland's 45-12 victory over Georgia in the final round of their successful Tbilisi Cup campaign.

Emerging Ireland coach Allen Clarke speaks about his side's five-try 33-7 win over Uruguay in the Tbilisi Cup and the first half injury to captain Rhys Ruddock. They wrap up the tournament against hosts Georgia on Sunday.

Speaking about the floods that occurred following the Tbilisi Cup's first round, Emerging Ireland team manager Joey Miles said: "A natural event like that, a tragedy like that puts the game of rugby into perspective. We express our regrets to the Georgian people and the Georgian Union for the terrible tragedy that they had."

David O'Reilly from the IRFU Charitable Trust's Corporate Patrons Committee speaks about the new scheme which provides businesses with unique networking opportunities and provides a platform for companies to effectively activate their CSR programmes. For further information, please contact Linda Black of the Charitable Trust - telephone (01) 6473866 or email: linda.black@irfu.ie / http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34728.php.